AUSTIN, Texas — With energy demand soaring among residents and large data centers, Austin Energy has launched a decade-long improvement plan totaling $735 million.
The Electric System Resiliency Plan (ESRP) aims to create a stronger, more reliable energy grid for the capital city, according to a release from the public utility company. Improvements and upgrades will help the grid withstand harsh weather, such as the historic 2021 freeze, and bounce back faster from outages.
“Compared to statewide averages, Austin Energy’s system is at least twice as reliable, but there’s always room for improvement,” general manager Stuart Reilly said in the release. “Austin Energy’s resiliency efforts will go toward building an even more reliable electric system for our community.”
The plan’s 2026 goals include upgrading overhead lines, replacing 40 segments of underground cable, inspecting 8,000 poles and more. An allocated $60 million from the 2026 fiscal year budget will go toward these new year improvements.
From the total 10-year ESRP budget of $735 million, $340 million will go to vegetation and wildfire management, $280 million will go to overhead line upgrades, pole inspections, sectionalization and automation, and $115 million for grid analytics, intelligent systems and progress dashboard.